Where learning wild is easy - Teacher training and resources

Network with educators from across Georgia while participating in seminars and hands-on sessions on current trends, new information, research and the classic tricks in environmental education that make it all work! Take educational field trips and enjoy an amazing auction and evening socials as you meet others in the field of environmental education that want to share their ideas and gain knowledge just like you! Cost is expected to be $175-$200 for full registration, which includes all meals, banquet and the social. The price does not include lodging or field trips. Registration form and conference details will be posted on the EEA Web site (www.eealliance.org).

June 23-27

4th Annual Georgia Teacher Conservation Workshop

Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, Mansfield, GA ( here)

The five-day workshop "Exploring Forestry and Wildlife in Georgia," (http://gfagrow.org/programs/georgia-tcw/) will focus on conservation topics related to the benefits of forestry, including the cycle of growing trees, using trees for products and how trees are managed for wildlife habitat. The center will host the event with the Georgia Forestry Commission (http://www.gfc.state.ga.us/) and the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division (www.georgiawildlife.com). Participants will be certified in Project Learning Tree (http://gfagrow.org/programs/georgia-project-learning-tree/), Project WILD ( /projectwild_education.aspx) and Project WET (http://www.gaprojectwet.org/gawet_index.asp) upon completion. Teachers will be able to receive 3 PLU (Professional Learning Units) after completing the workshop. Due to the workshops generous sponsors, including various forestry and wildlife organizations, all field trips, lodging, meals and teacher resource kits will be included in the $25 registration fee. This event is open to Georgia educators of grades 5-12. Deadline to apply is April 15. For more information, contact Carla Rapp at (478) 992-8110 or carla@gfagrow.org; or Walter Lane at (770) 784-3064, walter.lane@dnr.ga.gov

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Try to imagine the landscape of much of Georgia 200 years ago - it was vastly different from today.

Early travelers and naturalists described scenes of extensive open forests, savannas and even rolling prairies maintained by frequent fires either ignited by lightning strikes or set by American Indians over much of the coastal plain and into parts of the piedmont. This open, grassy countryside with a low density of longleaf pines or other fire-adapted trees supported a very different range of birds than the species typically seen in most of the region today.

The Zahnd Natural Area in Walker County covers some 1,380 acres of the Cumberland Plateau physiographic region. Zahnd sits on the eastern edge of Lookout Mountain and across McLemore Cove from Pigeon Mountain.

Kristina Summers, a senior public relations and information specialist with the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division, attended much of the fourth annual Teacher Conservation Workshop held June 23-27 at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield. Here is her in-the-field glimpse of the workshop and participants adventures around the state.

Much has been written of the longleaf pinelands of South Georgia and the fact that most have disappeared through conversion to pine plantations, development, cropland and other overall changes in land use. Yet an even scarcer habitat than a longleaf pine forest is a seepage bog with acres and acres of pitcherplants. Doerun Pitcherplant Bog Natural Area has both – intact longleaf-wiregrass uplands and acres and acres of pitcherplants!